Thought I'd add a few more things from the land of China before I move on. Responding to some of the comments I've had:

Despite facebook being banned some news does still get through mostly via the Chinese newstation that is ominously called CCTV!

Yes the scorpion on a stick was alright, crunchy and spicy! The silk worm lavae was adequately described by someone I was travelling with as " Like a ball of leather filled with pus"

And Grandma as far as I can see there is no age restrictions so I think you should hop on a plane to Moscow jump oin the train and start heading east!

Had a good few days in Beijing now including a fabulous trip to the Great Wall and seeing all round the Olympic area, a lot like a Ghost Town in parts really quite strange. Heading down to Bangkok in a couple of days so will update you all then.